CIRAD at the Paris International Agricultural Show: working towards agriculture that is both ecological and intensive
02/02/2010 - Press release
At the 2010 Paris International Agricultural Show (Porte de Versailles) from 27 February to 7 March 2010, CIRAD will be presenting the topic of "ecological intensification", or how sustainable agriculture could feed nine million human beings by the year 2050, and supply energy and biomaterials while preseving the environment and natural resources.
Inventing a new form of agriculture
Over time, man has modified natural environments so as to control them more easily. In farming, preference has been given to intensive monocultures and to boosting yields through massive applications of fertilizers or pesticides. This type of agriculture is not only vulnerable to environmental change; it also has consequences, such as pollution, soil degradation and reduced biodiversity. It also contributes substantially to greenhouse gas emissions.
Moreover, it is inaccessible to poor farmers because of its high cost in terms of inputs and energy. In the light of all this, an agricultural revolution is under way: that of "ecologically intensive" agriculture, or ecological intensification.
The topic of ecological intensification is one of CIRAD's priority lines of research. Its researchers were therefore keen to present some of their work towards a form of agriculture that is both ecological and intensive.
A stand
Hall 3 – aisle C – stand 62
centring on three hubs:
- The issues surrounding ecological intensification, based on the CIRAD-INRA Agrimonde foresight study . The study outlined the food challenges of the future and urged those concerned to make preparations as of now by looking at a range of contrasting modes of development. These include ecological intensification, which is synonymous with agriculture centring on local inventiveness, biological complementarities, less use of exhaustible resources, and respect for the environment.
- Direct seeding mulch-based cropping. This innovative technology aims to reconcile the biological activity of the soil with high, quality agricultural production. It now concerns more than 105 million ha worldwide. The technology was born in South America, particularly in Brazil, with a substantial contribution from CIRAD agronomists (L. Séguy et al), and is gradually but increasingly being adopted in France and Europe.
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Reduced pesticide use, illustrated by the case of banana
, with tangible results in the banana plantings of the West Indies:
- studies and modelling of overall agrosystem functioning, to ensure innovative cropping solutions
- current and future action levers to reduce pesticide use (spatial and temporal organization of cropping operations, boosting diversity within systems, etc)
- partnerships with producers (UGPBAN, Union des Groupements de Producteurs de Bananes de Guadeloupe et Martinique) and local communities to ensure success.
A day of round tables
Lyra room (Hall 7) from 9 am to 5 pm on 2 March
on "Is ecologically intensive agriculture a pipe dream? "
The day will be headed by Michel Griffon, in partnership with the Association internationale pour une agriculture écologiquement intensive.
- Topic for the morning session: What is ecologically intensive agriculture? Is it a contradiction in terms?
- Topic for the afternoon session: What support policies are required for ecologically intensive agriculture?
Access the programme (in French)
A CIRAD-INRA conference
Thursday 4 March from 10 am to midday
on "green biotechnologies: issues and prospects "
A brochure
The title for 2010 is: "Using nature as a model, for ecologically intensive agriculture " .
A set of technical and scientific advice notes
They promote the results of joint research work.
- Category: Coming up